A few more general notes here:
When wrapping threaded fittings with teflon tape always wrap in a clockwise direction when viewed from the end with the male threads. (I find the thicker gas rated yellow teflon tape works good for me on larger pipes).
There are several fancy types of PVC fittings like the combination ball valve and union mentioned above that can make these projects easier, just be sure watch the price, often they will cost much more than individual parts. Another example of this is the $25 1.5 inch telescoping fitting, it can make adding a mid point patch much easier than precisely cutting a patch to fit a bit of pipe, a union and a coupler (cost of about $5-6 in 1.5 inch), but at 5 times the cost should probably be saved for those rare situation where a union and coupler just will not do.
Like most construction projects, remember measure twice and cut once, speaking of cutting you will probably want to use a hack saw, if you don't have access to a good chop saw. PVC is relatively easy to cut with a standard hack saw, just try to keep the cuts straight.
I personally have never had good luck with flex PVC hose, it seems to always be a source of leaks, cracking. etc.
Note some pumps and filters may require special adapters that look a lot like standard pipe fittings, but rely on shoulder O-rings or gaskets instead of tapered threads to make a seal. With enough teflon tape you can sometimes make these seal without the right fitting, but you can also crack the housings.
Always dry fit everything together before you start gluing, it will save a lot of oopsies like finding you have glued a male threaded fitting on without a union and the only way to screw it to your filter would be turning the filter onto the fixed pipe.
When possible leave extra space between fittings, this way if you want to install something else later (like maybe a salt water chlorinator, new pump, filter, etc.) you don't find yourself having to throw away all those pricey valves you installed with no room to splice between them.
Valves come in slip on and threaded variety, they usually cost about the same, so if you think you might want to change things up your better going with threaded, slip on to threaded adapters are under $1, where as 1.5 inch ball valves are $15+, and it is not that much extra labor to teflon tape the threads and screw on the valves..
Ike